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Izod IndyCar Series to give up control of Indy Lights series

The Indy Lights series, shown here at Pocono, may be heading in a new direction with new leadership. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

IndyCar is relinquishing control of the struggling Indy Lights series to Dan Andersen, who owns the other two steps in the Mazda Road to Indy development program.

Andersen founded the USF2000 series in the 1990s, sold it and bought it back a couple of years ago. He also recently acquired Star Mazda, re-branding it as Pro Mazda. He is the owner and CEO of both divisions.

Andersen is scheduled to be confirmed to lead Indy Lights at a news conference Friday in Toronto, an IndyCar event where all four divisions will participate.

The exact nature of IndyCar’s contract with Andersen hasn’t been revealed, but it’s believed the Indianapolis-based sanctioning body will continue to subsidize Indy Lights during the transition period.

Indy Lights once was a strong property, and it still is credited with helping several drivers reach IndyCar. James Hinchcliffe, Josef Newgarden and Charlie Kimball are among the current drivers who have been Indy Lights regulars. Carlos Munoz, who leads Indy Lights this season, finished second in the Indianapolis 500, his first IndyCar race.

However, the series has seen a severe dip in participation both in terms of drivers and teams. Only eight car-and-driver combinations participated in Saturday’s race at Pocono Raceway, and they represented only four teams. Only two IndyCar teams (Andretti Autosport and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports) field cars in Indy Lights, although several other teams have in the past.

Andersen, who has owned teams in the series, is committed to lowering costs, particularly as it relates to the engines and the tires. He also believes there should be a limit to the number of oval tracks young drivers should race on before they reach IndyCar.